Rebecca O’Connell is the executive vice president, Head of Corporate Banking for the NYC Metro Region at Citizens Bank, encompassing NYC and the surrounding boroughs, Long Island, Westchester, Northern New York and Southern Connecticut.
In her role, Rebecca is responsible for leading the strategic direction of Corporate Banking, inclusive of client relationships, community engagement and continued market expansion.
Additionally, Rebecca holds the role of regional president for NYC Metro, serving as the senior executive representing Citizens Bank holistically across our local communities and she helps drive engagement with our community partnerships that are aligned with Citizen’s credo.
Rebecca held previous roles at JP Morgan Chase and Bank of America.
She currently sits on the board of the Long Island Association, Moxxie Mentoring Foundation in Long Island, and she sits as a founding board member for the Saint Anthony’s High School Business and Entrepreneurial Center in Huntington. She is also aligned in partnership with the Food Bank for New York City.
What are the most significant challenges you have faced as a woman in your industry?
- Overcoming the misperception that I am where I am today only because I am a woman versus my skill set, leadership capability and commitment to success.
- Being overlooked as the most senior person at the helm.
With growing recognition of the importance of diversity in the financial sector, being a woman in finance can be both challenging and opportunistic.
It’s well known that the industry is historically male- dominated, however women are stepping into larger leadership roles as the industry shifts to capture the increased value of a diverse organization.
This intentional shift inadvertently casts a misperception that women are succeeding simply because they are considered “diverse.” I personally have navigated several occasions, very directly, where it has been insinuated that my continued rise and success is simply to check a diversity box.
My talent, experience, successful leadership and ability to establish, reinvigorate and exponentially grow and manage a business are overlooked – pushed aside without consideration.
When networking, hosting dinners and events, entertaining and the like, I am also often overlooked as the most senior colleague at the helm, as my male colleagues are directly addressed under the assumption that they hold the role. You can imagine the surprising embarrassment when I speak up to redirect.
Interactions, comments and insinuations like this provide a sense of isolation and being underestimated, which yields a general lack of camaraderie.
As a woman I’ve had to work harder and creatively to prove myself and earn credibility. I’ve learned to be intentional in every facet – speak up, be heard, push in, share and celebrate my achievements out loud.
In general, career advancement (while it has not been a challenge for me) can be challenging for women because we tend to want to check all boxes before pursuing a new opportunity or promotion – versus relying on our years of experience and success that prove our ability to overcome hardships and challenges that an unchecked box could create.
The reality is that the unchecked box is our opportunity – it’s our ability to continue to grow, to develop, to “push inward and upward,” intentionally, with a voice.
